RIP Kanya King, Windrush nurses appeal for help & British-Somali history
Plus: The Home Office are telling kids, as young as 5, to leave UK
Hi everyone,
A note from Nadine
While putting the finishing touches on this weekly news round-up, we received the devastating news of MOBO founder Kanya King’s death. She was 57 years old.
A true pioneer, Kanya changed the face of British music and culture through the creation of the MOBO Awards in 1996, providing a platform for Black artists and genres that were too often overlooked by the mainstream.
From garage, grime and reggae to R&B, Afrobeats and hip-hop, countless careers were elevated by the space she created.
In 2024, Kanya revealed she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Throughout her treatment, she continued to champion Black talent with the same determination and vision that defined her career.
I was fortunate to experience her generosity firsthand. Despite being so busy, Kanya made time to offer encouragement and support my work. When I approached her about contributing to a passion project a few years ago, she agreed without hesitation and asked for nothing in return. That quiet kindness speaks volumes about the person she was.
What’s more, the success of platforms such as Black Current News owes much to the example Kanya set: creating our own spaces, telling our own stories and refusing to wait for permission to be seen.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones. May she rest in perfect peace.
Black Joy Bulletin
Silas Boateng elected President of Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association
Councillor Faduma Mohamed sworn in as Ealing’s first British Somali mayor
Last chance | Black-owned businesses have days left to apply for £200,000 worth of TV advertising
Thousands of Black men invited to participate in prostate cancer screening trial
British-Jamaican Jhané Gibson has made it to the MasterChef UK finals
Councillor Chewe Munkonge becomes Oxford’s first Black Lord Mayor in the role’s 800-year history
ZaZa Kazadi promoted to senior director, A&R, UK & Europe at Sony Music Publishing
Home Office writes to children as young as five ordering them to leave UK
Children living legally in Britain have reportedly received Home Office letters instructing them to leave the country, even where their parents have been allowed to stay.
The cases involve families of migrant care workers who arrived before visa restrictions were tightened.
Doreen Lawrence criticises Badenoch's comparison between her son's murder and Henry Nowak's, warning against reversing progress on race equality
Baroness Doreen Lawrence has criticised Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for comparing the murder of her son Stephen Lawrence to that of Henry Nowak, saying it took more than 20 years to secure justice.
She also warned against efforts to reverse race equality measures, arguing that some politicians have “no idea what race equality means”.
Sareeta Domingo remembered through new prize for emerging writers
A new national writing prize has been launched in memory of acclaimed editor and author Sareeta Domingo, who died in September 2025.
Sareeta was Publishing Director at Jacaranda Books and a passionate advocate for underrepresented voices in publishing.
The initiative will support unpublished writers through mentoring, industry guidance and potential publication opportunities, continuing her legacy of nurturing new talent.
They answered Britain's call. Now retired Caribbean nurses need help getting to their community centre.
A South London community group supporting retired Caribbean nurses is appealing for help after its ageing minibus was scrapped, leaving some elderly members unable to attend social activities, hospital appointments and outings.
The Positive Network Community Centre, with support from the photographer Steve Reeves, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a replacement vehicle. See fundraiser here.
What else we’re reading
Police ‘increasingly concerned’ for welfare of missing 16-year-old girl from Milton Keynes
10,000 Black Interns Foundation raises £30,000 amid legal challenge for not offering internships to white people
Brixton mourns passing of community elder Prophet Kwame Abubaka aka ‘Jah Weatherman’
Photo exhibition celebrating Caribbean heritage arrives in Parliament ahead of Windrush Day
Nigel Farage sparks backlash after invoking Henry Nowak murder to claim Britain has a “two-tier” justice system
‘An inspiration’: Steelpan pioneer Sterling Betancourt dies aged 96
Peabo Bryson, veteran R&B singer of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Whole New World,’ dies at 75
'Arsenal parade was like Notting Hill Carnival but with less cannabis': Labour MP sparks backlash as critics slam offensive comparison
Yves Sakila family instructs UK pathologist to carry out independent post-mortem
Seán Gallen | ‘Yves Sakila’s death has echoes of George Floyd. When will we in Ireland confront our own racism?’
Former England and Liverpool star John Barnes reveals prostate cancer treatment and diagnosis
MAGA influencer pleads guilty to Tube station attack as boyfriend accused of racist abuse
Panashe Muchenje, 19, dies after being pulled from Nottinghamshire lake
Windrush compensation scheme needs significant overhaul, MPs told
‘It’s All Over’: UK theatre group’s Dreamgirls production cancelled over mostly white cast after rights holder revokes licence
Remembering Winston Pinder: the Bajan-British pioneer who fought for justice
Teenage girl, 15, dies after getting into difficulty while swimming at Formby beach, Liverpool
Ms Lauryn Hill to receive living legend icon award at 2026 BET Awards
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